Envelop-moistener.



No. 830,648. I PATENTED SEPT. '11,' 191ml J. T. DEAN.

ENVBLOP MOISTENER. urLIoA'rIon FILED 11.13.10. me.

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used UNITEDl STATES JULIA-` T. DEAN, OF

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

ENVELOP-NIOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1906.

Application tied March Io, 1906. seria No. 305,326.

To all whom t may concern:

ABe it known that I, JULIA T. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop- Moisteners, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to moisteners, and more fparticularly to that class adapted to be or moistening the gummed liaps of envelops.

It is also designed to be used for moistening postage-stamps and the like.

he object of my invention is to provide an article whereby the flaps of envelops and the like may be moistened without soiling the fingers.

A further object is to provide means for retaining moisture for a considerable length of time.

' A still further object is to provide means whereby the moisture may be directed to the lowr end of the moistening device when desire Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this application, I haveshown the preferred form o my device.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved moistening device complete. Fig. 2 1s a sectional view as seen from the dotted line 2 2, Fig. 1,' and Fig. 3 is an inverted perspectivel view of the moisture-controlling device removed from the moistener.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 indicates a moisture-receiving member, which may be composed of any absorbent material, preferably a sponge. Surrounding said member 1 is a ring 2, which is referably centrally located upon said mem- Eer 1 and is secured thereto by means of retaining-wires or the like 3, passing transversely through the member 1 and looped around the ring 2. Secured at intervals to said ring 2 are upwardly-extending resilient wires 4, the upper ends of said wires being directed together to receive at their eXtreme upper ends a button or handheld 5. Secured to said resilient wires and slidably mounted thereon is a frame 6, said frame being prop against.

`structed. It

vided with a downwardly-projecting plunger 7, which is adapted to engage the moistureholding device 1 when desired.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the wires 4 are bent inwardly to contact the moisture-receiving member 1, so

plunger 7 and frame 6 are directed downwardly the bent portions of the wires 4 will be directed against the moisturereceiving member and exert pressure there- It will also be seen that when said plunger is directed downwardly into engagement with the moisture-receiving member 1 any moisture contained in the upper portion of said member will be directed downwardly into the lower or moistening portion thereof.

In use the member 1 is saturated with water or other moistening iiuid, and the lower or projecting end of said member is passed over the gummed ilap of the envelop or'postage-stamp, and when said device has been used sufficiently to absorb the moisture in the lower part of said member 1 the plunger 7 is moved downwardly on the wires 4 and pressed into engagement with the upper portion of the member 1, thereby forcing the moisture in the unused portion of the moistening member downwardly into the lower portion of said member and replenishing said lower portion with moisture, when the same yis again ready to be used for the purpose conwill now readily be seen that said moistening operation may be performed without in any way bringing the lingers of the operator in contact with the gum contained by the envelop or stamp. It will also be-seen that the moisture can be directed from the upper portion of the moisture-retainer to the lower portion thereof without having to place the fingers in direct contact therewith. The loops 3, passing transversely through the moisture-receiving body, serve to limit the downward pressure upon the moisture-receiving member.

What I claim is* 1. The herein-described moistener oomprising a moisture-receiving member, a ring encircling said member, means to lsecure said ring to said member, wires forming a handle secured to said ring, and a button secured'to the upper converging ends of said wires.

2. In a moistener of the class described, the combination with a moisture-containing body of a ring encircling said body, means to secure said ring to said body, upwardly- IOO IIO

directed resilient wires secured to said ring, and means to secure said wires together et their upper ends.

3. A moistening device of the class described, a moisture-receiving body, resilient wires forming a handle, means to secure said wires to said body, a button at the upper end of said wires, and means carried by said wires to direct moisture through the body 1o portion when depressed.

4. In a moistener of theclass described,

the combination with a moisture-receiving l member having wires forming e handle secured thereto; of a plunger slidably mounted upon said wires adapted to direct moisture through said body when brought into engagement therewith.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

l JULA T. DEAN.

Witnesses:

JENNIE M. TAYLOR, OswALD WILMANNs. 

